Former Liverpool FC and England defender Mark Wright has signed a major deal in China to roll out a youth football coaching programme across the country.

Wright’s Liverpool-based Premier Legends company, which organises exhibition matches and corporate events, announced in Shanghai that it is launching a major pilot scheme for youth football participation in China, including soccer schools and soccer holiday camps for youngsters.

The pilot soccer schools scheme, taking place over three months this summer, will see former Premier League stars, plus ex-players from elsewhere in the world, deliver coaching and support at up to 400 schools in two districts of Shanghai.

Included in the plans is an exhibition match, which will star a range of former Premier League legends, to take place in the 80,000-capacity Shanghai Stadium in October.

The announcement follows a deal struck between Wright’s company and high-profile Chinese businessman Dr Tony Tung.

It also has the support of the Chinese Government, with high profile officials from the sport, tourism, foreign affairs and education departments attending today’s press conference and launch event at the Intercontinental Ruijin Hotel, Shanghai.

Wright said: “Today marks the first step in a journey which could see our football coaching and youth mentoring programme rolled out across thousands of Chinese schools, benefiting tens of thousands of children.

“What is clear is that British football is held in very high regard here and that the positive reputation of both the city of Liverpool and English football is hugely significant.

“We are extremely excited to be launching our pilot and are confident it will lead to a major step-change in the way Chinese schools approach football, potentially making it, for the very first time, part of the school curriculum.”

Centre half Wright joined Liverpool From Derby County in 1991 for £2.5m – then a record fee for a defender. He made 160 appearances for the Reds until his retirement from the game in 1998. He was also capped 45 times for England .

Cllr Millar added: “The deal is evidence of the increasingly strong ties between Liverpool and China. We were delighted to be able to assist in brokering the agreement which represents another very positive business link between Liverpool and Shanghai.”